The Scrap House (National Geographic Channel)

In SCRAP HOUSE, viewers go on a wild ride with a team of architects, construction managers, and builders who are attempting to build a house in 30 days using entirely found/recycled materials. The team of San Francisco-based building experts accepted National Geographic's challenge to take green building to the next level in honor of 2005's World Environment Day. The group includes Laurence Kornfield, chief building inspector for the city and county of San Francisco; general contractor John Pollard; and architect John Peterson. Together they design a 1,000-square-foot house with 21-foot ceilings and set out to build it in four weeks using only materials found in local scrap yards. Along the way, the team runs into problems that they have to solve creatively and ecologically: How can they insulate the structure? (With telephone books.) How should they cover the walls of a room? (With discarded fire hoses.) Where can they find a chandelier? (Make one out of traffic lights.)

Inherent in Scrap House is the hallmark of many of today's reality shows: suspense. Each day, the builders and designers must sort through local dumps to find useable materials and improvise when they come up dry. Lacking aluminum siding, for example, they hunt down discarded street signs and use them for shingles; or they gather hundreds of shower doors, paint them, and plaster them to the front and side walls -- all as time ticks by.

Thanks to public service campaigns and the diligent work of local politicians, recycling is a part of our lives as never before; Scrap House is a clever take on that new fact of life. The experts involved in the building are endearing and knowledgeable, and parents can feel good about letting their kids watch, knowing that they'll be entertained and get a lesson in sustainable living.

TV Rating: NR
Network: National Geographic Channel
Cast: John Peterson, John Pollard, Laurence Kornfield
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: National Geographic Channel